Another Summer With Cousin Maya

Once again, cousin Maya spent the summer stateside where she and Sasha were able to spend much of the month of August together.  Initially I think it was difficult for them to share the affections of Nana and Zayde when each of them is accustomed to their grandparents' undivided attention, but they quickly adapted and learned to share the spotlight.  Sometimes if the frustration was just too much, clever coping strategies were invented, like a kiss on the head to mask a sly twisting of the arm.  They played for hours outside with a couple of squirt bottles, shared meals and nightly baths, visited the zoo, explored the city's playgrounds, colored with crayons and put puzzles together.

Maya wins the prize for biggest sweetheart. Her polite requests to "read this book, please," her playful silliness, and her exceptional patience with her exuberant younger cousin were among the many little things that add up to one awesome young girl.

Upon their first meeting, Maya wanted to read a book to Sasha.

Helping Zayde make his "perfect" scrambled eggs.

More helping in the kitchen: testing the jelly roll crumble.

At the beach in Delaware.

Bringing a handful of sand to show Mahmoo.

Sharing beach toys.

Or not.

Coloring, probably on the table.

Ooh la la.  Maya's first french braid courtesy of Margot.

Their own kid-size chairs.

Maya's first game of charades. (She insisted Mama do it first.)  
Cookie Monster, in case you were wondering.

Trying to wrap themselves in a blanket.